State treasurer to amend policy on domestic partners

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is set to amend his state office's domestic partnership policy.

Giannoulias spokesman Scott Burnham said Saturday that the state treasurer and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate plans to sign an executive order at a news conference on Sunday in Chicago.

The executive order will recognize same-sex domestic partnerships as equivalent to marriages for treasurer's office employees. For example, the policy will allow gay and lesbian employees unpaid time off to care for a sick partner or for the birth or adoption of children.

After the order, "gay and lesbian employees in domestic partnerships will have all the same rights as married employees," according to a release from the treasurer's office.

Giannoulias' office says it is the first Illinois constitutional office or state agency to adopt the policy.